Westmont Wildcats clinch league title

Joshua Lumpkin of the Westmont Wildcats outruns a Chicago Chargers' defender for the game-winning touchdown in an Oct. 6 game.
Photo provided

Caption

Chaz Hunter plows through the defense for the Westmont Wildcats' first score against the Chicago Chargers.
Photo provided

WESTMONT – Going on the road to play for the Chicago Chargers’ homecoming was no problem for the Westmont Wildcats.

The Wildcats’ 10 and 11 year-old pee wee team gutted out a 13-6 win to spoil the Chargers’ homecoming Oct. 6, and in the process claimed the title in the Chicagoland Youth Football League blue division. With the victory, the Wildcats improved to 4-1 overall and 4-0 the CYFL blue.

The win also gave Westmont the No. 1 seed in the CYFL playoffs.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Wildcats marched all the way down to the Chargers’ 1-yard line and Chaz Hunter plowed in for the touchdown. Quarterback Mason Pardy provided a big play on the drive when he raced for a 19-yard gain to set up Hunter’s score. Offensive linemen Nicolas Gerbasi, Riley Dorsey, Rahshon Murff and Zach Gacek helped pave the way on the nine-play drive. Running back Eddie Mills, tight end Cameron VanHoegarden and offensive tackle Gabe Lischalk opened the hole for Joshua Lumpkin to run in the extra point.

The Chargers’ ensuing drive didn’t last long as Gacek burst through the offensive line and forced a fumble that Hunter recovered. Lumpkin’s 14-yard scoring run moments later gave Westmont a 13-0 lead.

The hosts scored a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff return, but Westmont’s Gerbasi, Elvin Simpson, Jonta Glanville and Trevor Hillard stuffed the extra point run to preserve the Wildcats’ 13-6 lead.

Westmont’s Daniel Janas recovered an onside kick to start the second half and Elvin Simpson recovered a fumble on a Chargers’ lateral pass, but neither team was able to generate much offensively. Gerbasi dropped a Chicago runner for a 9-yard loss in third quarter, which helped set up the Wildcats at the Charger 22-yard line late in the game. Westmont ran out the clock at the 8-yard line to seal the win.

Murff received the Wildcats’ Tank Award as the team’s best blocker in the game, Gacek earned the Hitman Award as the team’s best defensive player, and Simpson received the Coach’s Award for his performance in the game.

The Wildcats return to their home field at Westmont High School for an Oct. 20 against the Park Ridge Falcons.

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